"We want a fairer deal for Australian families and small businesses," he said on Tuesday.

"I will be emphasising that at the roundtable."

The government has also asked the Australian Energy Regulator to develop a reference bill for each network region, for electricity retailers to calculate and advertise their discounts using a common reference point.

Mr Taylor will also hold two forums this week to provide detail on the government's plan to underwrite new power plants.

He will canvass the contentious underwriting proposal during a forum in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon and in Melbourne on Friday.

"The Australian government's underwriting new-generation investments program is focused on attracting new investment in firm or firmed generation capacity to increase competition and reduce electricity prices," Mr Taylor wrote to retailers ahead of the forum.

"The new program also aims to improve reliability and security by increasing the level of firm capacity in the system."

The underwriting proposal, which could see Canberra bankroll a new coal-fired plant, signals the willingness of the coalition government to shake up the market share of the big retailers.